Projects
Welcome Trail: improving weight control and CO-morbidities in children with obesity via executive function training. University of Antwerp
Release of Bisphenol A and other endocrine-disruptive compounds from resin-based dental materials. University of Antwerp
Predicting outcomes of inflammatory bowel diseases: creating opportunities for personalized medicine KU Leuven
The imminent introduction of new therapies for both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), will have a huge impact on our clinical practice in the coming years. However, it is anticipated that clinical response to each of these agents will vary significantly between individuals. Furthermore, these new therapies are expensive and long-term use may be associated with adverse events. Another important drawback for treatment with ...
EphB2-ephrin-B2 and NMDA receptor signaling as underlying mechanism of visceral hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Abdominal pain is one of the most difficult to treat symptoms in patients suffering from Functional Gastro-Intestinal Disorders (FGIDs). Recent evidence shows that visceral hypersensitivity (VHS), represents an important underlying mechanism. The most common and most studied FGID is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), characterized by chronic discomfort and abdominal pain associated with altered defecation in the absence of an organic cause. ...
Study on the mechanisms underlying mast cell activation in postinfectious visceral hypersensitivity KU Leuven
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic discomfort and abdominal pain associated with altered defecation in the absence of an organic cause. It is becoming increasingly clear that mast cell activation, leading to activation and sensitization of afferent nerves, plays a crucial role in abnormal visceral pain sensation (visceral hypersensitivity), one of the hallmarks of IBS. However, the ...
Control of local thyroid hormone availability in the developing chicken brain. KU Leuven
Thyroid hormones (THs) are important regulators of vertebrate development. Abnormal TH levels can lead to major developmental deficits, including mental retardation. To understand the processes that underlie these deficits, we studied the influence of THs on early development using the chicken embryo as a model. However, in order to analyze -and influence- the supply of THs to specific tissues and cells, the key regulators of TH availability ...